Many fans are curious about the payment Olympic athletes receive for winning medals. The compensation for athletes varies greatly and includes not only monetary rewards but also unique benefits depending on their home country.
How Olympic Athletes Make Money
Here's everything fans need to know about the financial and non-monetary rewards Olympic athletes receive, and how different countries honor their champions.
Olympic athletes do not receive payment from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for winning medals. However, the earnings of athletes for winning medals can vary greatly from country to country.
In the United States, athletes receive $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for a silver and $15,000 for a bronze medal from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, according to the Associated Press. The payments are part of programs called "Operation Gold."
